Liquid dispenser



April24,192`s. l '1,667,483

C. LEOF LIQUID DISPENSER F' Jan.' 24. 192'/ 2 sheets-sheen 1 l ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 24, 1928. l

UNITED STATES PATENT '.oFFicE'.

CHARLES LEOF, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

LIQUID DISPENSER.

Application led January 24, 1927. Serial No. 183,157.

class of a plurality of containers containing diierent liquids, and a selective cont-rol system whereby the operator may select the par,

ticular kind of liquid desired before operat ing the mechanism. n

Another object of the invention is the provision in a device of this class of a mechanism whereby, upon the operation of the mechanism, a predetermined amount of liq- I i zontally extending partition 18 a compartl uid may be delivered to a container simultaneously with the delivery of a cup, so that` the operator, after operating the mechanism may deposit the predetermined amount o liquid delivered into the cup, the predetermined amount, after being delivered, being freely accessible to the operator.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a. li uid dispenser of this class of a mechanism W iereby a predetermined amount a of syrup or other liquid may be delivered together with a predetermined amount of carbonated and gasified water, so that a freshly mixed carbonated drink in a predetermined amount is obtainable upon the operation of the mechanism.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism whereby upon the contents of the dispenser becoming exhausted, the device will be closed against operation.

Other 'objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described andA claimed.

The invention will be best understood by a reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which,

" Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the invention with parts broken away.

Fia. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2' of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view with parts broken away.

Fig. 4 is a fragment-ary sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.-

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6' is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the cup feeding mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 4, showing a different position of operation than is shown in Fig. 4.

In the device I provide a cabinet having a' rear Wall 11, side walls 12 and 13, a front wall 14 and abottom 15, upon which is mounted the supporting legs 16. A vertically extending partition 17 forms with the horinient 19 whichis rovided at its upper end with the swingab y mounted cover 20. A

magazine 21 is'adapted for ii'iountin f in the space between the partition 17 and tie pai'- tition 20', this magazine containing straws 22 which, upon travel from the magazine 21,

are deposited on the incline 23 so as to'i'oll into the trough 24 which is positioned exterior of the cabinet and slightly' below the swingable door 25, these straws 22 being fed,

out individually on to the incline 23 by means of the ears 27 and 28 which areviixedly mounten? upon the shaft26, this shaft being journalled in suitable bearings mounted in the cabinet. The forward wall below the door 25 is provided with the inclined portion 29 and the inclined portion 30 to provide in the cabineta recess 31,'the base thereof being a swingable door 32, communicating with a chute 33 positioned above a refuse container 34 vwhich is positioned 0n the bot-tom 15, the

vlower portion of the cabinet being provided with` a swingable door 15.

Mounted in the cabinet above the door 32 is l the horizontally disposed partition 35. Positionedon the partition18 is a container 36 `having partitions 36 and36" formed therein to divide this compartment into a niimber of non-communicating compartments. A pipe 37 is provided'l having the angularly turned portion 38 which extends through the inclined front wall portion 30 -and is provided with a plunger 39 whereby a valve in the pipe 38 may be opened, this valve bein normally springheld in closed position, an

'ist

of a well 4known type ot'structure. The cup 40 may be positioned on the door 32 below the ipe 38 so that upon a pressing inwardly oft e plunger 39 the contents may be deposited in the cup 40. Communicatin with one of the compartments is a. pipe 41, ow of liquid from which is controlled b the valve trolsl the dow of the Vduid tothe small receptacle or container 51. from which the 'liquid would pass through the valve 52 into the pipe 45. A 'pipe 53 ieads from the other receptacle or compartment in the container 36, this liquid passing through the valve 54 into the small container 55, and through the valves 56 and 46 into the pipe 37.

. Mounted on the front wall 14 is a frame 57 framing a recess 58 which communicates with a tube 59, leading inwardly and downward] of the receptacle and terminatin slight y at one side of an opening 168 forme in the partition 35, this opening being positioned above a cash receptacle 169, access to which magbe had through the door 169', as shown in ig. 4. The slot 58 is of such size that a coin may be inserted into the tube 59, this coinl 60 after leaving the tube 59 engaging on the partition 35 in the recess 61. #fr

A bracket 62 is provided having depending lugs 63 and 64, through which is extended the rod `65 projecting through the bearl ings 66 and 67.,l Carried on the free end 4o of the rod is a head 68 having the bracket arm 69 projecting outwardly therefrom, as shown invFig. 4 and Fig. 5. Aneupwardly projecting-portion 70 on the bracket 62 is provided with the laterally extended arm 71, projecting upwardly from which are bosses 2, 74 and 76, the boss-#72 serving to engage the larm-73 which isconnected to an arm 73 which is attached to the valve stem 89 of the valve 56. The boss 74 is adapted .in certain positions forl engaging the depending arm 75 which is connected to a laterally extending arm 75 which connects to the valve stem of the valve 52. A similar depending arm 77 connected to the valve stem of the valve 44 is adapted for 'engagement with the boss 76 in certain positions of its movement.

Engaging the front wall 14 of the cabinet is a disc 78 which rides on a dial 7 8', this disc 78 being formed integral with the tube 79 which projects inwardly of the cabinet and upon which is fixedly mounted a gear 80, a shaft 81 being projectedthrough the tube 7 9 and journalled in suitable bearings '82, 83

and 84 mounted on the partition 35.' The gear meshes with the teeth on the rack bar engages in the notch, as shown inY Fig. 8, the

depending arms 73, 75 or 77 determined by which is 1n registration with its notch, is in position for engagement with the bosses 72, 74 or 76, and as shown in Fig. 8, no two ot these arms can revisiter with a notch at the same time. This 1s a part ot' the mechanism whereby the user or operator ot the inachine may determine or select what kind ot liquid he desires to be delivered from the v machine.

Mounted'on the member 35 between the guides 91 and 92 is a slidable rack bar 90 meshing with the teeth ot' a inion 95 which is ixedly mounted on the ro 81. This rack bar carries at opposite ends a reduced pin forming portion 93and'94, the pin forming portion 93 bein engageable in a. socket :formed in a hea carried by the bracket 62. Fixedly mounted upon the shaft 81 is a pinion 96 engagin the teeth of the segment 97 which is pivota ly mounted :it 98 on a bracket or supporting arm 99, the opposite end 0i this segmentarm 97 being provided with an elongated slot 101 in which engages a pin 102 projecting outwardly from a bar 103, this bar carrying "n outwardly projecting portion 104 whichals attached to the stem 105 oi the valve 54 and` withan outwardly projecting portion 106 which is attached to the valve stem 107 bf the valve 50, and at its L lng positioned in embracing relation .on this rod `110, so as to normally retain the bar 103 moved into the position shown in full Ilines in Fig. 4. The segment arm 97 is pivotally connected'by means of the rod 113 to an arm 114.. which is iixedly mounted on the valve stem of the valve 46. Mounted in the cabinet is a suitable support 118 in which is positioned a bushing or sleeve 117, pro-1 jecting inwardly of which 'is a ,plunger 120 having a reduced portion 122, which is pivotally attached to a dog 123, this stud 120 being provided with a head 121 against which engages onel end of a coil spring 119 which is positioned about the stud 120 in embracing relation.

Pivotally mounted at 125 -on the member 35 is an-arm 124, the opposite end/of which is pivotally mounted to the rod 126 which is slidably positioned in bearings "129, which is oifset, intermediate its ends and pivotally connected at'its opposite end at 130 to an arm projecting outwardly from the support 118, so that in the oiset portion of the arm 129, the head 121 may be engaged, thus causin the entry ofthe plunger 120 inwardly of iii positions of movement of the arm 124.

Positioned on the bottom is a tank 131 which is ada ted for containing carbonated water, and wiiich is connected by the piping 132 to the coil 133, this coil being connected by the pipe 134, as shown'in Fig. 2, and Fig 4, th'roug the valvev 48 to the ipe 37.

Pivotally mounted on the d 63 of the bracket 62 is a dog. or latch member 135 which, upon movement of the latch member into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, is adapted to engage the end of the pivotally mounted arm 136, which is attached at its free end to the valve stem 137, this valve stem projecting through a slot 138 formed in the arm 136.

Projecting outwardly from the bracket .62 and carried thereby is a parallel extending gear operating arm 139 which is, as shown in Fig. 7, and in Fig. 5, adapted to engage the teeth of the gear 140, which is mounted on the shaft 141', a similar gear 140 being also mounted on the shaft 141, this shaft being journaled in suitable bearings. The gear meshes with the gear. 142 which also meshes withthe idler gear 142', this gear meshing with the gear 143. The gear 143 is fixedly mounted on the shaft 144, and uponthe shaft 144 are ixedly mounted the gears 146 and 147, these gears being termed the cup feeding gears. The' gear 142 is fixedly mounted upon the shaft 145, upon which are fixedly mounted another set of cup feeding gears 148 and 149, these shafts 145 and 144 being projected through the partition Extending vertically in parallel relation to each other are guide rods 150, the stack of cups 40 being mounted between these guide rods, as shown clearly in Fig. 5, Fig. 1 and Fig. 3. Each of these cups is provided with a bead 152, as .shown in Fig. 7, so that as the feed wheels are rotated, the cups will be individually fed downwardly from the stack and permitted to drop into the compartment 154 upon the cone shaped guide 153 (see Fig. 1). The gear 140 meshes with the gear 155 which is fixedly4 mounted upon the shaft 156 and upon which shaft there is ixedly mount. ed a gear 157, these gears 155 and 157 'being straw feeding gears and being positioned sol that the straws, when passing downwardly from the magazine 21, will engage the teeth of the gears and be fed outwardly. A spring arm 158 is adapted to engage the gear 143 and prevent its reverse rotation, and a smaller spring arm 159 is adapted to engage the gear 142 and prevent its reverse rotation, thwe spring arms 158 and 159 serving as e sleeve 117 at certain epending arm a lockin means against reverse operation of the mec anism.

'The rods 15()y project through 'a weight 160 which is slidably mounted thereon, this weight serving as al follower to press the.

stacr of cups 40 downwardly, as shown 1n `Fig. 3. A pivotally mounted, downwardly height. When the weight 160 engages the angularly turned end 161 it will cause a rocking of the arm 163, which is pivotally mounted on the bracket 164, thusy causing a rocking on its pivot ofthe dog' 165, this dog engaging teeth 167 on a guard plate 166 which is slidably mounted-rearwardly of the vfil) frame 57, so as to close the slot 58 and prevent the entr)7 of a coin therein.

A coil sprmg 168 is positioned about the rod 65 so as to normally retain the bracket 62 moved into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4. The bracket 62 is provided with a cam head 115 which upon movement of this head into engagement with the head 116 of the valve stem leading to the valve 47 will cause an inward pressure of the valve stem, thus serving to close-this valve, this valve being normally springheld in .open position.

In operation the various com artments of the container. 36 may be filled liquid and in the drawings I have illustrated two of the containers filled with a syrup so that the syrup from these containers or compartments will be delivered to the receptacles 51 and 55. The other receptacle is. filled with a ready prepared drink, such as lemonade, or

-the like,`which may be deposited in the recejgtacle 43. The deposit of a. coin in the tu e 59 will move into the position shown in the coin 60 engaging between the end Fig. 5,

bracket 62 and the pin 93, so that of the -when the shaft 81 is rotated, the pin 93 cannot enter the socket inthe head but will engage the coin 60 and force the bracket into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4.

with a suitable Prior to this operation, the operator would to the left until the desired position isreached, at which time the proper roller will engage in either the 4notch 86, 87 or 88, thus bringing either the arm 73, 75 or 77 into position'for engagement with its respective bosses 72, 74 or 76. Theoperator will then rotate, through the handle 183, the shaft 81,

thus effecting a rotation of the gear 95, and a rotation of the gear 96. As the gear 95 is rotated it moves the rack bar 90 slidably so as to force the bracket 62 into position shown ythe receptacles 55, 51 or 43 to dow downwardly through the pipe 55, and at the same time, opening the valve 46 to permit the liow of the liquid into the pipe 37, .which is of a predetermined capacity. As the moveirnent continues, the cam head 115 will engage the valve stem head 116, thus closing the valve and preventing withdrawal of the liquid :trom the pipe 37. When the device i's`usedk with carbonated water, and as the movement is about completed, the dog 135 will ride over 'the end of the arm 136. At the same time, the'dog 123 will ride over the end of the bracket arm 69, thus locking the mechanism in this position. rl`his movement will cause a compression of the. springs 168 and 110. 'lhis brings the coin 60 which is clamped between the end of the bracket 62 and the pin 93 into registration with the slot, 168, as clearly seen in Fig. 8. A reverse rotation of the shaft 81 will permit the coin to drop through the slot 168 into the cash box 169. rll`his reverse rotation isetlected through the compression ot the spring 110. 'lhis-movement will move the pin 94 into engagement with the arm 124, causing it to.rock on its pivot and thrust the plunger 120 inwardly so as to release the dog 123 from the bracket arm 69. i When it is released, the spring 168 willtorce the bracket 62 into its normal position, thus causing the valve 52 or 44 or 56 which may have been open to close, these valves being normally spring closed'valves, and at the same time, the valves 54 or 42, are

opened, permitting the receptacles 55, 51 or` 43 to be vagain replenished. At the same time, the valve 46 is closed by the rocking ot the arm 114. The disengagement of the cam 115 from the head 116 will open this valve and render the liquid accessible to the user. As the latch 135 snaps backwardly with the bracket 62, thelever 136 will be rocked onv its pivot to' open the valve 48, and permit a certain amount of carbonated water to flow into the mixture. lt carbonated water is not to be used, the latching mechanism involving the dog 135 and the arm 136 may be dispensed with or relatively misplaced, as desired. v p

As this operation is being e'ected the cup feeding wheels are rotated to feed a single cup outwardly into the receptacle 154 and the `straw feeding wheels are also rotated to de osit a single straw in the straw trough 24. rl`he liquid may then be withdrawn by an inward pressing on the plunger 39.

In this manner ll have provided a dispenser of this class which is so constructed receptacles, upon the opening of one of. said Leonesa and arranged as to provide for the various requirements to which sucha dispenser may be subjected, and one which is easily operated and quickly understood by the inexperienced, so that a maximum amount of service may be rendered the user.

While I have illustrated and described the 'preferred form of my invention, l do not wish to limit myseltI to the precise details of structure shown, but desire to avail myself of such variations and `moditications as nliay come within the scope of the appended c aims. i

Having thus described my invention what l claim as new andy desire to secure by liettcrs Patent is:

1. A 'liquid dispenser of the `class described, comprising: a plurality ot. containers; means tor conducting liquid from each otl said containers; control means for controlling the flow of liquid from each of said containers separately; mechanism for selecting the control means to be operated; and automatically operated .means for returning said selective means to normal position after operation.

2. ln a liquid dispenser ot 'the class described, a plurality of liquid containers; a separate conduit communicating with each ot' saidy containers for conducting liquid therefrom; av receptacle in communication with each of said conduits, said receptacle vbeing of a predetermined size; a delivery pipe communicating with said rece tacle; control means for controlling the ow of liquid from said containers to said receptaclesgcontrol means tor controlling the delivery'of liquid from said receptacles; means for individually operating said control means which control the flow ot liquid from said receptacles; and selective means for selecting the control means to be operated;

lltltl positioned between said containers and said control means controlling the dow 'of liquid from one of said receptacles.

3. A liquid dispenser of the class described comprising: a plurality ot containers; a plu-s rality of receptacles, each in communication ma with one of said containers; control means for opening and closing said communication; a, conduit; means communicating each of said receptacles with said conduit; control means mounted in `said communicating means for opening and closing communication of said receptacles with said conduit; a delivery pipe communicating with said conduit; a valve for controlling the flow of liquid to said delivery pi e; a valve in said delivery pipe for control ing How of liquid therefrom; means for opening said control means cont-rolling the dow of liquid from `said receptacles to said conduit; means for selecting the control means to be opened; iso

action, closing the control means controlling Y a conduit; means means for closing communication between said receptacles and said containers upon the opening of said control means; and means simultaneously operable with the closingv of said control means for opening the control means controlling communication of said' delivery pipe with said conduit; and separate means for, simultaneously with said action, closing the control means controlling the iow of liquid from said delivery pipe.

4. A liquid dispenser of the class described comprising: a plurality of containers; al plurality of receptacles, each in communication with one of said containers; control means for opening and closing saidcommunication; a. conduit; means communicating each of said receptacles with said conduit; control means mounted in said communicating means for opening and closing communication of said receptacles With'said conduit; a delivery pipe communicating with said conduit; a valve for controlling the flow of liquid to said delivery pipe; a valve in said delivery pipe for controlling flow of liquid therefrom; means for opening said control means controlling the flow of liquid fromsaid receptacles to said conduit; means for selecting the control means to be opened; means for closing communication bet-Ween said receptacles and said containers upon the opening of said control means; and means simultaneously operable with the closing of said control means for opening the control means controlling communication Lof said delivery pipe with said conduit; and separate means for, simultaneously with said the flow of l1 uidfrom said delivery pipe; a cup receptac e; and means for feeding said cups therefrom individually upon the opening of said control means.

5. A liquid dispenser of the class described comprising: a plurality-of containers; a plurality of receptacles, each in communication with one of said containers; control means for opening and closing said communication; communicating each of said receptacles with said conduit; control means mounted in said communicating means for opening and closing communication of said receptacles with said conduit; a delivery pipe communicating with said conduit; a valve for controlling the flow of liquid to said delivery pipe; a valve in sai de ivery pipe for controlling flowv of-liquid therefrom; means for opening said control means controlling the flow of liquid from said receptacles to said conduit; means for selecting the control means to be opened; means or closing communication between said receptacles and said containers upon the o ening of'said control means; and means simultaneously operable withv thel closing of said control means for opening the control means controlling communication of said delivery pipe with said conduit; and separate means for, simultaneously with said action, closing the control means cont-rolling the flow of liquid from said delivery pipe; a-

cup receptacle; and means for feeding said cups therefrom individually 'upon the open- Y in said communicating means for opening and lclosing communication of said' receptacles with said conduit; a delivery pipe communicating with said conduit; a valve for controlling the flow of liquid to said delivery pipe; a valve in sai delivery1 pipe for controlling flow of liquid therefrom; means for opening said control means controlling the flow of fluid from said receptacles to said conduit; I'neans for selecting the control means to be'opened; means for closmg communication between-said revceptacles and said containers upon the opening of said control means; means simultaneousl operable with the closing of said contro means for opening the control means controlling communication of said delivery pipe with said conduit; separate means for, simultaneously with said action, closing the control means controlling the How of liquid from said delivery pipe; latching means for latching said mechanism in position to retain said control means open; automatic means for releasing said latching means; and resilient means for restoring said mechanism to normal position.

7. A liquid dispenser of the class described comprising: a plurality of containers; a plurality of receptacles, each in communication With one of said containers; control means for opening and closing said communication; a conduit; means communicating each of said receptacles with said conduit; control means mounted in said communicating means for opening and closing communication of said receptacles with said conduit;

d ladelivcry pipecommunicating with said conduit; a valve for controlling the flow of liquid to said delivery pipe; a valve in said delivery pipe for controllingflow of liquid therefrom; means for opening-said control means controlling the flow, of liquid from said receptacles to said conduit; means for selecting the control means to be opened; means for closing communication between said receptacles and said containers upon the opening .of said control means; means simultaneously operable with the closing of said control means for opening the control means controlling communication of said'delivery pipe with said conduit; separate means for, simultaneously with saidy action, 'closing the control means controlling the How of liquid from said delivery pipe; a container for carbonated gas; 'a delivery means for conducting said carbonated gas into said delivery pipe; means for control- .normal position,

ln testimony whereof I have signed the l5 ling delivery of said carbonated gas into said l0 delivery' pipe; and means for opening said control means last mentioned upon movement of saidy mechanism from operated to foregoing.

CHARLES LEGE. 

